Washboard.



J. H. RYAN.

WASHBOARD.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. l4, I916.

Lm m Pmntedge flu, 1917.

Fay. j.

J. H. RYAN.

WASHBOARD.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. l4. l9l6.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

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11111131111114 PIII/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA JOHN H. RYAN, OF DAYVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

WASHBOARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 191?.

Application filed October 14, 1916. Serial No. 125,620.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, JOHN H. RYAN, citizen of the United States, residing at Dayville, in the town of Killingly, in the county ofWindham and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in \Vashboards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in washboards and has for its chief characteristic to provide a device of this character which has a frame of wood that is adapted to be covered or incased in a casingof metal, the metal being partially corrugated whereby a washboard of simple, durable and emcient construction is produced.

Another characteristic of this invention resides in the provision of a device of the above described character in which the scrubbing surface is securely looked upon the washboard to prevent the accidental displacement thereof during its use.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the device partially in section, showing the manner of locking the scrubbing surface upon the board;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the wooden frame;

Fig. 4C is a vertical section of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my invention comprisesa frame A and which is preferably formed of wood. The frame A comprises side rails 1 which have their upper ends connected by the top rails 2 while the side rails are connected. intermediate their ends by the means of the horizontal rails 3, the latter beingconnected by strips 41. The horizontal rails 3 and the vertical strips 41 comprise the frame which supports the scrubbing element B. It might here be stated that the element hereinabove referred to may vary in size and configuration without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the side rails land top rails 2 have their corners and edges preferably rounded. The element 13 comprises a single piece of metal which is of a width slightly less than the distance between the side rails l as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The intermediate portion of the element B is corrugated transversely as at 5, this portion of the element being arranged upon the outer or front sides of the frame, the opposite ends of the element being bent to engage the opposite side of the frame and terminating in the spaced straps 6, the straps 6 being of such a length as to overlap each other, one pair of straps being provided with openings 7 through which the remaining straps are adapted to extend, the free ends of the straps being welded to gether whereby the scrubbing element will be held securely against movement upon the supporting frame as will be understood.

The back of the washboard is formed from a single sheet of metal which is arranged betweon the side rails 1 and has its lower end bent inwardly as at 8 and welded or otherwise secured to the lower edge of the element B and arranged to lie flush therewith, thus providing a smooth surface. The upper end is extended slightly outwardly as at 9 whereupon it is bent at right angles as at 10 and then extends over the top of the frame A for an appreciable distance which is greater than the width of the side rails 1. The sheet of metal G is bent upon itself as at 11, the return bend 11 cooperating with the upper portion of the sheet to form the ledge 12. The inner end of the bent portions 11 is extended at an angle as at 13, the lower end of the eX- tending portion terminating in a curved upward bend 14; the upward bend 1 1 constitutes the soap tray and has it free edge curled as at 15 whereby the soap tray will be reinforced while the bottom of the tray 'is provided at spaced intervals with the perforations 16 to form a drain for the soap as will be understood. The soap drain is in contact with the upper ends of the scrubbing element B, the latter serving to rigidly support the soap tray as. is shown in the drawing. The side rails 1 have secured to the rear longitudinal edges thereof, the metallic members 16 adapted to engage or rest against the wash tub when the board is in use.

It will be evident from the foregoing concopies ot this patent may beobtained for like and presenting a structure which is sub-- stantial and durable. At the opposite ends of the ledge 12 are provided tapered strips 17 which prevent the accidental displacement of the soap and serveto reinforce the ledge to prevent the accidental bending or distorting of the same". Themetalback of the board indicated at O- is provided with a key-hole slot 17, by means of whichthe board may be hung upon a-nail onother suitable support when its use is not desired, a cap 18 being secured to the inner surface of the back 0 and covering the slot 17 as clearly shown in Fig. i.

The side rails 1 are substantially and completely incased in metal casings 18, which are formed from single pieces of metal and have their free inner 'edgesbent inwardly to engage the opposite'sides of the washboard as is clearly shown in the draw ings. The free'ends oi the tapered strips 17 are adapted to be welded to the casing 18 for securely holding the same inrigid position.

To protect the metal which constitutes the back C, the ledge 12 and the soap tray 1),

I have covered certain parts of the same at certain places wlth a coating oi enamel (not shown) the enamel further servlng to present a washboard which is highly:sani tary and which is of neat appearance.

1t is thought-from. the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawing that the construction and operation of rails connecting the side rails, and verti ail rails =connecting the horizontalfrails, the

lower of said horizontal rails being formed with a shoulder, a scrubblng element consisting of a single sheet of metal bent around the horizontal rails and having its opposite ends formed with straps, the straps oi one endbeing interlocked with the straps of the otherend, the face of the scrubbing element being corrugated, a back member consisting'oi a-single sheet of metal having its lower edge fitted against said shoulder, the opposite end of said-member being-bent about the top rail "to provide a ledge, and thematerial forming the ledge being reverselybent and extended toprovide a soap tray.

In testimony whereof I aiHX my signature,

JOHN H: RYAN.

five cents each, by addressing thetcommissioner ofPatents,

WashlngtonJl. C. 1 

